Yes sad and sadlier is that his tale is not uncommon. All birds want to be free birds (and should be IMO). But pet birds sometimes escape and usually meet a dire fate. At least this guy was safe from prey by a hungry fox or coyote, or rascal dog, cat...endless dangers out there.

I got the feeling that he was happy not to be outside anymore and he initially just wanted to sit on top of the cage and talk. I think now that he may have been trying to find his traveling pal. Once we got him some places to perch he seemed content just to chill. He drank water but we couldn't get him to eat much, I think he basically just relaxed to the point he passed. Poor dude just had no energy reserves and was literally dead tired. Makes me sad but at least he wasn't cold, scared and alone at the end.

And you know, ironically, it was because one of our cats was focused on him in the yard that I noticed him in the first place. So cat & bird are apparently not mortal enemies. Although sometimes I wish our predator-wannabes would be a little more intimidating to the pigeons and robins who like to munch on gardens.